HELP FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH ASPERGER'S & HIGH-FUNCTIONING AUTISM

Education and Counseling for Individuals Affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Coping with Obsessions and Rituals in Aspergers Kids

One of the hallmarks of Asperger's is the development of obsessive thinking and the performing of ritual behaviors done to reduce stress and anxiety. This type of behavior can later meet the criteria in adulthood for OCD. Kids on the autism spectrum often have an obsessive interest in a particular subject, and they may be very inflexible in their habits and may rigidly adhere to certain routines or rituals. These obsessions and compulsions are believed to be biological in origin, which means that it is very difficult to go to therapy or just talk the child out of the rituals.

11 comments:

I don't think it's down to OCD my 6 year old is the same. He doesn't get upset with other changes in the house just his room. Like Lisa said its their sanctuary where they can feel safe and need that control.

My 11 uswest old Aspie is the same as Sues. He doesn't seem to see the mess. Ocd can run with Aspergers, I'd get it checked. My family has ocd running in it and they act like that, with out Aspergers.22 hours ago · Like · 1

every person with aspergers is uniqe in everyone but could be a bit of both the bedroom is definaly a sanctuary maybe try routine days and have her help pick sheets or dust to feel a part of in her comfort zone

My eldest has amazing attention to detail, it's often really useful though it does mean that he notices everything even things you'd rather he hadn't. Ha Ha Sue, my son sees the mess but doesn't see the point in tidying. He'll do stuff if you ask and encourage him to do it then and there and he'll get satisfaction from doing it but the connections aren't there to do much without encouragement. He's not able to organise himself much and he's easily distracted if his hearts not in it. He'll get totally absorbed in the things that float his boat though.

My 11 year old is like Sue and Jennifer's. I don't go in his room often because it's always such a mess and helping him clean it is such a process because of the way he wants things done that unless I'm committed to basically spending my entire weekend working with him on his room then it stays a pig sty.

We just threw out an old sofa from the playroom; stuffing was coming out-so nasty-and my son had such a meltdown. Finally I let him keep one cushion. I guess he was attached to it from playing his video games on it.

My son id 13 today, and jis room is a total pig sty.. some how during the night his sheets come off the bed, i really dont know how he sleeps there. he also likes his ceiling fan on at night. ive had to hide the remote controls, snd hes fine (its almost winter here)....

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My child has been rejected by his peers, ridiculed and bullied !!!

Social rejection has devastating effects in many areas of functioning. Because the Aspergers child tends to internalize how others treat him, rejection damages self-esteem and often causes anxiety and depression. As the child feels worse about himself and becomes more anxious and depressed – he performs worse, socially and intellectually.

How to Prevent Meltdowns in Aspergers Children

Meltdowns are not a pretty sight. They are somewhat like overblown temper tantrums, but unlike tantrums, meltdowns can last anywhere from ten minutes to over an hour. When it starts, the Asperger's child is totally out-of-control. When it ends, both you and the Asperger’s child are totally exhausted. But... don’t breathe a sigh of relief yet. At the least provocation, for the remainder of that day -- and sometimes into the next - the meltdown can return in full force.

Parenting Defiant Aspergers Teens

Although Aspergers is at the milder end of the autism spectrum, the challenges parents face when disciplining a teenager with Aspergers are more difficult than they would be with an average teen. Complicated by defiant behavior, the Aspergers teen is at risk for even greater difficulties on multiple levels – unless the parents’ disciplinary techniques are tailored to their child's special needs.

Older Teens and Young Adult Children With Aspergers Still Living At Home

Your older teenager or young “adult child” isn’t sure what to do, and he is asking you for money every few days. How do you cut the purse strings and teach him to be independent? Parents of teens with Aspergers face many problems that other parents do not. Time is running out for teaching their adolescent how to become an independent adult. As one mother put it, "There's so little time, yet so much left to do."Click here to read the full article…

Parenting Children and Teens with High-Functioning Autism

Two traits often found in kids with High-Functioning Autism are “mind-blindness” (i.e., the inability to predict the beliefs and intentions of others) and “alexithymia” (i.e., the inability to identify and interpret emotional signals in others). These two traits reduce the youngster’s ability to empathize with peers. As a result, he or she may be perceived by adults and other children as selfish, insensitive and uncaring.Click here to read the full article...

Highly Effective Research-Based Parenting Strategies for Children with Asperger's and HFA

Become an expert in helping your child cope with his or her “out-of-control” emotions, inability to make and keep friends, stress, anger, thinking errors, and resistance to change.